“As our City looks ahead to a post-pandemic recovery, we must strive to adopt a budget that promotes equity, health and safety for all New Yorkers. Baselined funding for Fair Fares to help support public transit access for low-income New Yorkers and the historic investment in employment for young people are major steps forward for our city. We also appreciate the Mayor’s proposals for new family health services, expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, and support for the Fair Futures program that assists young people in successfully transitioning out of foster care. We must continue investing in New York City’s families and workforce, while ensuring affordable housing, health equity, small businesses and mental health care are priorities. When we commit our budget to ensuring communities are strong, public safety can be improved and New Yorkers can thrive.  This is a promising start to the budget process, and the Council looks forward to fulfilling its role in examining this Preliminary Budget through hearings and other efforts. We as leaders have a responsibility to ensure that our Fiscal Year 2023 budget advances equity, fiscal responsibility, and a strong recovery for New York City.” 

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